School me on reconditioned chainsaws

Let me start by saying this is my first post on FHC. Originally from Buffalo, NY but spent most my life in North GA. Seven years ago my wife and I moved to Savannah, GA and this will be our retirement home. We bought a small ranch with a large fireplace and with a good bed of coals we can heat the house.

On Sept 27, Hurricane Helene hit Savannah and brought down more oak trees than you could imagine. The city was littered with live oak and red oak and of course pine. So many downed trees that outside tree companies were brought in from as far as Pa. to help clean up. Now we’re in mid December and there’s still contracted companies driving around helping with pickup. Needless to say, quality oak is available everywhere, free of charge. Over the past month I’ve picked up enough mid size rounds for a good three full cords. My log splitter is more than adequate but my chainsaw isn’t up to the task. Northern Tool online has an abundance of factory reconditioned Husquvarna saws in various sizes and the price points are very attractive.
Does anyone have experience with factory reconditioned saws? Good, bad, or avoid like the plague or should I buy factory new? Any and all opinions much appreciated.

What say you???

 

My opinion is go new, or look in the for sale section of sites like these for good used saws.

The Husky 51, 375XPG, 272XP, Solo 680, Solo 694, and 066 mag all came from members on here or OPE. What size saw are you looking for specifically?

 

Welcome to the club!!

Buffalo native huh? I’m about half hour east myself…
As far as the factory reconditioned saws I’ve never tried one…. Myself I wouldn’t be too concerned if the price seemed right, but that’s me. I think I’d be a little cautious because I feel like sometimes “Harry homeowner” might pick up a new saw use it to demo his pool deck then return it. The factory reconditioned might just be the store giving it a wipe down and throwing it on the shelf.
I could be way off about all of it, but I’m sure someone will be along to answer.

 

Buy once, cry once. those reconditioned saws have bad reviews. go to a chainsaw shop and buy where you can get expert service if needed, you won't find expert service at a big box store.

 

I personally wouldn't spend the money on a "reconditioned" saw...but then again, I have a bunch of ported pro saws that I don't need. How long of a bar do you want to be able to run?

 

I’m thinking 45 to 50cc’s and a minimum 18” bar but prefer 20”. The Stihl MS 250 at $400 seems to be a good value for a decent saw. That’s what I was looking for on Northern’s website when I spotted the refurb Husquvarnas while browsing. Saws similar to what the MS 250 offers for about $250. Certainly don’t mind spending more on something new but wanted to be sure I wasn’t passing up a great deal/value on a refurb.

 

Welcome to the club!!

My suggestion is to buy a brand that can be serviced by a local power shop with a good reputation. They might even have used chainsaws for sale. Good luck deciding!

 

My local Stihl & Husky dealer just had a nice MS261 for sale for $400....way more saw than an MS250 or comparable Huskies.

 

I used to buy reconditioned echo hand held leaf blowers for work. They were like new, but their life expectancy could be short as I used them on roofs and they sometimes fell off. Crap shoot today IMO.

I'd recommend buying a reputable brand at a reputable dealer where knowledge, parts, and service are key. A mid level farm/ranch saw would be ideal for your needs and give you many years of good service. Pro level saw are the cats meow and a lot of FHCers own them, but the price shys many "average cutters" away.
The 250 is a very popular saw, but I'd go with a 291 for your needs. Maybe a bit pricey but a decent saw that will give you good service.

You could always invite T.Jeff Veal over. Dunno how close he is to you.

Welcome to the FHC Sicilian Suspect

 

The MS 250 while a good homeowner saw isn't a great saw. I have one. When I got it I thought this will be my last saw. But after a few months and after joining FHC ( thanks guys ya'll are a bad influence) I realized I needed more power. I would look for something in the 55-60 cc range. Specially if want to run a 20inch bar
. Either Stihl, Husqvarna, or Echo. Which ever one has the best service place near you. I'd stay away from box store models.

 

If you want a new saw, look at the Stihl MS 291 or Echo CS590 "Timber Wolf". If you can, buy from a dealer that sells and services the saw. When you are starting out they can be a big help. If you want to go used there are so many good saws. I'm sure folks will have lots of suggestions. Making firewood can be enjoyable and rewarding.

 

Welcome to the club and Dixie, new neighbor. We're about 2hrs or so NW of you now. Between Macon and Augusta, Washington Co...Sandersville area. We were camping at Ft McAllister in September. Where did you live in N GA?
Yep, there guys on here love to help you spend your ...when I joined, we had an MS029 that my dad bought new and a MS361 that we bought new...
Watching a few videos and attending a few get-togethers (GTG) later, they have helped us expand the saw stable. We have Echo XS2511T and XS4910, Stihl XS362, XS029 with 039 top end(sleeper saw)...lol...XS models have gotten the Xtra Sausage treatment from huskihl ...completely different animal when he works his magic...
We also have a MS180 and MS461, pretty much stock, just muffler modded. A friend also lifted us a Husky 55 and a 50cc Craftsman brand.
Santa is also bringing a new toy that will have the XS sticker on it...to be revealed later...
For the $$, if you can find an Echo 4910 or 501P, that would be your best bet. They are cheaper than the 2 major brands with a better warranty.
Here's a couple videos of our woodyard...

 

I have used Stihl 261’s professionally since their inception and have not experienced any issues. It’s 50cc and many use it with 18 and 20” bars. My personal preference is using it with a 16” bar. If I had to, I could do most of my firewood cutting with a 261. It would be adequate for cutting Live oak limbs. I have been to Savannah a few times and saw those big trees. I prefer buying new saws, but I have bought used after inspecting them, starting, listening to it run and using them to cut. No experience with homeowner saws, but I’m sure they are fine for firewood. IMO an ope dealer will provide better service if you buy from them. Good luck with your search. A sharp chain and dependable saw is your best friend.

 

While it’s not a professional saw, the Husky 51 I purchased from Nixon’s Estate via @PAdan is in like new condition. I would sell it for what I have in it which is $200 plus shipping. It is currently set up for .325 and includes a 16” bar. I have had a 55 (very similar saw) since 1996 and it has been the most wonderful firewood saw, which is why I picked up the 51.

 

I've bought reconditioned saws, they were just fine. Like an old coworker used to say, they come off the line new with a little lick n a promise inspection, the reconditioned ones have been on someone's bench and a checklist gone through...often times some carb adjustments done...I think I'd prefer that, as long as they still give it a decent warranty

 

Welcome to the club
I would say go husqvarna because that’s what I prefer it’s really buy from a local dealer that way you have a place that can service your saw. I would say buy new but alot of my saws I have bought used
If you decide to go used a lot of dealers do have used saws for sale

 

I would say it depends on your budget.
Reconditioned or even used would be fine, I have bought some used saws and had good luck with them. It was a matter of being in the right place at the right to be able to get to them before someone else did.
However, there is obviously nothing like new if it is in your budget.

You could look for a pro saw of a farm/ranch saw as they call them. Now the question is how much you are going to be cutting, what size wood are you thinking, can you do your own maintenance, or do you need dealer support?
Nothing wrong with a farm/ranch saw for the guy who will be cutting a couple cords a year, it worked for me for years but I did graduate to pro saws, and it is without a doubt a step up the ladder.

 

Welcome to FHC !

One thing you should notice in the replys, is the signature lines. These folks have several saws and use them often, there is a wealth of knowlege here. While I've never bought a "reconditioned" saw from a big box store, I've purchased used saws from individuals, dealers and from on-line sites. It will depend on how mechanically inclinded you are.

I tend to look for magnesium cased saws over those with the Clam shell design, Stihl, Husqvarna and Echo are some of more common players in the saw market. I burn approximately 2 to 3 cords per year at the most, that's not much compared to others. I try to purchase the best constructed saw within my budget, I'm not very brand loyal, but I typically prefer 3 series Husqavarna's because I have experience maintaining them or even overhauling them.

You asked for thoughts on which saw? For me personally, I've enjoyed my Echo CS 590. They sell in the low to mid $400 range and it looks like there are several small shops around your area for any dealer support you may need. My Echo CS 590 has only required maintainence items since I purchased it. It routinely wears a 24' bar when bucking and 20' bar when noodling big pieces.

Again, welcome to FHC!

 

We were in Acworth about 40 minutes north of Atlanta. Just a short drive to Blue Ridge or Tennessee. Here in Savannah I used to work in Richmond Hill and spent a good bit of time at Ft. McAllister. That place is bustin at the seams with campers.
Lots of good responses on this post, much appreciated. I think I’m gonna follow the advice of going to an independent mom and pop dealer for this purchase. The place I bought my zero turn sells Stihl and is a service center as well.

 

Or, they just like to list every tool in their box...(not saying there is no knowledge there...just that not everyone feels the need to list all their stuffs)